Final score

11 March 2007 15:00

Inter
30' (2nd half) Ibrahimovic
10' (2nd half) Cruz
AC Milan
40' Ronaldo
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli / Linesmen: Stagnoli, Calcagno / Fourth official: Girardi
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Minute Text commentary
46' AC Milan lead Inter 1-0 at the interval thanks to Ronaldo's 40th-minute strike.
46' Dacourt is back on the pitch but he is clearly unable to continue the match.
45' 1 minute of added time.
44' Inter momentarily down to ten men as Dacourt receives medical attention on the touchline.
44' Olivier Dacourt is limping and it looks as if the French midfielder will be unable to continue.
43' Pirlo gets a cross in from the left. Cordoa rises to make a headed clearance.
40' Against the run of play Milan take the lead through.... none other than Ronaldo, whose low left-foot shot from 20 yards is past Julio Cesar and into the bottom left corner.
39' Magnificent move by Luis Figo who bursts between Oddo and Bonera before flashing his diagonal shot wide of the far post from a tight angle.
38' Inter close again through Crespo. The Argentine rises at the near post and sends his header from Figo's right-wing cross narrowly wide of the back post.
37' Nothing comes of Seedorf's corner kick as the whistle goes for a foul by Bonera on Maxwell.
36' Cordoba makes a poked clearance to deny Kakà a crossing chance. Left-wing corner for Milan.
35' Ibrahimovic has a diagonal left-foot shot blocked by Oddo as Inter find openings down the left channel.
34' Milan attack back and Ronaldo is flagged offside before he slots home from inside the area.
33' Materazzi elegantly tackles Ronaldo and sets up a counter-attack. Ibra tries to squeeze between Gattuso and Bonera on the left but he loses possession.
30' Ibra booked for diving in the Milan area, but it looked as if Bonera had committed a foul on the Swedish forward.
30' Figo's corner is headed to safety by Gattuso.
29' Figo's outswinging cross is headed behind for a corner by Pirlo.
28' Free kick to Inter on the right wing after Jankulovski is adjudged to have fouled Stankovic.
28' Gattuso tackles Figo on the by-line. Nothing comes of the resultant corner, but Inter win a second after Maxwell has a cross blocked. Materazzi is beaten to Figo's corner by Dida.
27' Figo's left-wing cross spins off Oddo. Attacking throw-in for the Nerazzurri.
24' Crespo curls wide from just inside the Milan area. Good chance for Inter.
22' Oddo plays down the wing for Pirlo who beats Figo in the area but the Portuguese winger gets back to block the Italian's cross. Corner for Milan.
22' Rossoneri close through Pirlo, whose long-range shot dips dangerously, forcing Julio Cesar to tip over.
19' Back at the other end Milan win a right-wing corner after a Maxwell block from an Oddo diagonal shot.
19' Ibra and Crespo chase a through ball but Dida is quick out. Inter remain in attack and Figo swings in a cross from the left, but it's too long for Crespo.
18' Inter make an early substitution, with Maxwell coming on for Fabio Grosso who has picked up a muscular injury.
17' Inter come forward on the counter-attack but Ibra loses control after receiving from Crespo.
16' Materazzi blocks a Ronaldo diagonal shot after a combination between the Milan number 99 and his compatriot Kakà.
15' Pirlo's curling free kick is just wide of the left post.
14' Superb tackle by Materazzi on Seedorf after a mazy run by the Dutchman. Zanetti then sweeps clear an Ambrosini cross before Milan win a free kick in a central position 20 yards out for a Materazzi foul on Ronaldo.
10' Oddo squeezes past Grosso on the right and whips in a cross. Materazzi heads clear. Ancelotti's men remain in the Inter third and Jankulovski slices his shot way off target from 30 yards.
9' Stankovic blocks an Oddo cross from the right and sets up a counter-attack, but nothing comes of the move as the Rossoneri regain possession on the halfway line.
7' Inter win a free kick on the left wing, awarded for a sliding tackle by Gattuso on Stankovic.
7' Dejan gets into a shooting position and fires wide from 25 yards.
6' Figo's corner is headed into the middle of the area by Ibra at the back post. Pirlo smashes clear.
6' Back in the Rossoneri half Ibra wins Inter a left-wing corner.
5' Seedorf does the same at the other end as the Dutch midfielder looks to feed Ronaldo.
4' Materazzi overhits his long pass down the left for Ibrahimovic.
3' The Argentine striker turns and fires over from the edge of the box after receiving from Stankovic.
2' Crespo intercepts a Bonera clearance and rifles a low shot on target from 20 yards. Dida saves.
1' Good afternoon and welcome to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for the 266th Milan derby.
1' Inter kick off. FORZA NERAZZURRI!!!!
1' Before kick-off there will be a minute's silence in memory of Inter legend Benito Lorenzi, who died on Saturday 3 March aged 81.
1' A rumoured 30,000 plastic whistles have been distributed around the stadium as Inter fans prepare to greet a certain ex-Nerazzurri player.
1' AC Milan: 1 Dida; 44 Oddo, 25 Bonera, 3 Maldini, 18 Jankulovski; 8 Gattuso, 21 Pirlo, 23 Ambrosini, 10 Seedorf; 22 Kakà; 99 Ronaldo.
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 16 Burdisso, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 11 Grosso; 5 Stankovic, 15 Dacourt, 7 Figo, 4 Zanetti; 8 Ibrahimovic, 18 Crespo.
Minute Text commentary
47' Full time. Inter come from behind to beat AC Milan 2-1.
47' Materazzi heads to safety Pirlo's free kick from the halfway line.
46' Ibrahimovic races into the box but can't find a way past Daniele Bonera.
45' 2 minutes of added time.
44' Julio Cesar grasps a Cafu cross from the right to deny Gilardino.
43' Dida blocks a diagonal shot from Ibrahimovic as Inter come looking for a third.
42' Maldini just fails to connect with a Pirlo ball into the Inter area.
41' Cordoba booked for a foul on Ronaldo.
38' Kakà overhits his floated crossfield pass for Gourcuff.
36' Cruz tries a one-two with Ibra but the Swede's return ball is wayward.
36' Cordoba makes a clearance from a Cafu cross.
34' Milan bring on Gourcuff for Gattuso.
30' IBRACADABRA!!!!!!!!! Cruz robs Jankulovski of the ball on the right edge of the Milan area and cuts back for Ibra to slide into the bottom left corner from 12 yards.
30' Ronaldo beats Cordoba to Figo's cross and heads clear.
29' Free kick to Inter on the right after a Maldini foul on Ibra.
27' Marek Jankulovski's free kick hits the Inter wall.
27' Pirlo is booked for protesting whilst the Inter wall positions itself.
26' Samuel booked for a challenge on Ronaldo. Milan's free kick is in a central position 30 yards out.
25' Carlo Ancelotti replaces Clarence Seedorf with Alberto Gilardino.
24' Ronaldo blazes wide a 20-metre shot taken with the outside of his right foot.
22' Javier Zanetti cleans up in the Inter area to deny Ronaldo a scoring chance.
22' Ibra hooks in after Dida drops Figo's cross from the left corner flag, but Rizzoli blows his whistle for a Cordoba foul on the Milan custodian.
21' Free kick to Inter 30 yards out on the right. Figo's outswinger is headed behind by Milan captain Paolo Maldini, playing his 600th Serie A match this afternoon.
19' Pirlo's free kick is over the Inter wall but too central. Julio Cesar makes a comfortable catch.
19' Milan awarded a free kick 20 yards out for a Burdisso foul on Kakà.
17' Cafu replaces Massimo Oddo.
16' Bonera makes a crucial tackle on Stankovic to deny the Serbian a clear shot on goal after Ibrahimovic's looping pass over the Milan backline. Samuel's header from the resulting corner is over the bar.
15' Ibra muscles his way past two red and black shirts but Pirlo gets back well to intercept the Swedish striker.
14' Kakà cross-shot from 20 yards. Easy save for Julio Cesar.
12' Cruz close to a second goal with a sublime touch of the ball. Maxwell gets a cross in from the left and El Jardinero backheels over the bar with his back to goal.
10' Cruz' goal came just 11 seconds after he came on for Crespo!
10' GOOOOAAAAAALLL!!!!!! Julio Cruz makes an instant impact with Inter's equalising goal. El Jardinero rams home from close range after Dida fails to hold an Ibrahimovic cross.
9' Mancini makes his third and final switch. On comes Julio Cruz for Hernan Crespo.
8' Gennaro Gattuso goes close for Milan. The Italy midfielder smashes wide of the far post from an acute angle after entering the box from the right.
7' Samuel heads clear a Pirlo free kick as the Rossoneri attack back.
6' Ibrahimovic runs on to a Zanetti ball into the box before unleashing a thunderous diagonal shot that Dida does well to save.
2' Jankulovski clears a Figo cross from the left edge of the Rossoneri box.
1' Milan get the second half under way. FORZA INTER!!!!
1' Inter have replaced the injured Olivier Dacourt with Walter Samuel. Nicolas Burdisso has moved into a midfield position.
Zanetti
7.76
7.76
Cordoba
7.78
7.78
Materazzi
8.07
8.07
Crespo
6.36
6.36
Cruz
9.2
9.2
Stankovic
7
7
Burdisso
7.4
7.4
Julio Cesar
6.83
6.83
Samuel
7.23
7.23
Figo
8.32
8.32
Grosso
6.24
6.24
Maxwell
7.3
7.3
Dacourt
6.54
6.54
Ibrahimovic
9.15
9.15
Average rating 7.51
5 shots on target 3
6 shots off target 6
13 fouls committed 21
6 corners 7
2 offsides 5
23:32 ball possession 22:35
Mancini v Ancelotti

The two coaches have met on 14 occasions. Mancini has won 4, drawn 3 and lost 7. The current Inter coach's only home draw against Ancelotti was a 1-1 stalemate between Lazio and AC Milan on 28 September 2002. He has won 2 and lost 4 of the other 6 home games.

Details:

2000/01 Serie A Fiorentina-Juventus 1-3 ----
2002/03 Serie A Lazio-AC Milan 1-1 2-2
2003/04 Coppa Italia Lazio-AC Milan 4-0 2-1
2003/04 Serie A Lazio-AC Milan 0-1 0-1
2004/05 Serie A Inter-AC Milan 0-1 0-0
2004/05 Champions League Inter-AC Milan 0-3 tav 0-2
2005/06 Serie A Inter-AC Milan 3-2 0-1
2006/07 Serie A Inter-AC Milan ---- 4-3

Mancini v AC Milan

Inter coach Roberto Mancini has won 5, drawn 3 and lost 7 of his 15 matches against AC Milan.

Details:

2000/01 Serie A Fiorentina-AC Milan ---- 2-1
2001/02 Serie A Fiorentina-AC Milan ---- 2-5
2002/03 Serie A Lazio-AC Milan 1-1 2-2
2003/04 c. Italia Lazio-AC Milan 4-0 2-1
2003/04 Serie A Lazio-AC Milan 0-1 0-1
2004/05 Serie A Inter-AC Milan 0-1 0-0
2004/05 UCL Inter-AC Milan 0-3 (forfeit win) 0-2
2005/06 Serie A Inter-AC Milan 3-2, 0-1
2006/07 Serie A Inter-AC Milan ---- 4-3

Ancelotti v Inter

In 23 matches against Inter, current AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has collected 13 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats. His Rossoneri teams have scored in each game against Inter, netting 11 goals in 6 matches.

Details:

1996/97 Serie A Parma-Inter 1-0 1-3
1997/98 Serie A Parma-Inter 1-0 0-1
1998/99 Serie A Juventus-Inter ---- 0-0
1999/00 Serie A Juventus-Inter 1-0 2-1
2000/01 Serie A Juventus-Inter 3-1 2-2
2001/02 Serie A AC Milan-Inter 0-1 ----
2002/03 Serie A AC Milan-Inter 1-0 1-0
2002/03 Champions League AC Milan-Inter 0-0 1-1
2003/04 Serie A AC Milan-Inter 3-2 3-1
2004/05 Serie A AC Milan-Inter 0-0 1-0
2004/05 Champions League AC Milan-Inter 2-0 3-0 tav
2005/06 Serie A AC Milan-Inter 1-0 2-3
2006/07 Serie A AC Milan-Inter 3-4 ----

First afternoon derby in 14 years

The last Milan derby to be played at 15:00 in the afternoon was almost 14 years ago, on 7 November 1993. On that occasion Milan won 2-1 thanks to goals from Panucci (34') and Papin (52'). Bergkamp (64') replied from the penalty spot.

Inter unbeaten in 34 games

Inter are unbeaten in 34 competitive matches, with 27 victories (including 11 wins in a row - 7 wins in Serie A, 2 in Coppa Italia & 2 in Champions League from 25 October 2006 to 2 December 2006 - a club record under the administration of Moratti) and 7 draws since their last defeat, a 2-0 home loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 27 September 2006.

No Inter defeat in 28 league games

Inter's last Serie A defeat was the 1-0 reverse at Empoli on 30 April 2006. Since that date the Nerazzurri have played 28 top-tier matches, winning 22 and drawing 6.

Inter's sprint starts in 2006/07

Inter have scored 10 goals in the opening fifteen-minute periods of Serie A matches in 2006/07 - more than any other team. The Nerazzurri are also the top flight's most prolific side from the 61st to 75th minutes of league games this season, with 14 goals scored.

Stankovic, Mariano Gonzalez & goals against Milan

Dejan Stankovic has scored 55 goals in competitive games since moving to Italy. The Serbian has scored four against AC Milan and Lecce. Milan are one of three teams Mariano Gonzalez has scored twice against. The others are Bari and Lazio. The Argentine winger has notched 10 goals since moving to Italy.

Rossoneri unbeaten in 15 league games

Since their 2-1 defeat at home to Roma on 11 November 2006, Milan have collected 9 wins and 6 draws from 15 Serie A games.

Eight Milan goals from subs

Eight of AC Milan's 36 league goals this season have been scored by substitutes, more than any other club taking part in the 2006/07 championship. Oliveira (2), Borriello, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Kakà, Kaladze and Seedorf have come off the bench to score for Ancelotti's team.

Milan & goalless draws

The Rossoneri have played out 6 goalless draws in 26 rounds of Serie A matches this season - more than any other team.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(39) draws(31) defeats(32)
22 September 2024 1-2 10' Pulisic, 28' Dimarco, 90' Gabbia, fixture
16 September 2023 5-1 5' Mkhitaryan, 38' Thuram, 60' Leao, 72' Mkhitaryan, 82' Calhanoglu(Rig), 96' Frattesi, fixture
5 February 2023 1-0 34' Martínez, fixture
5 February 2022 1-2 39' Perisic, 77' Giroud, 80' Giroud, fixture
17 October 2020 1-2 13' Ibrahimovic, 16' Ibrahimovic, 29' Lukaku, fixture
9 February 2020 4-2 40' Rebic, 46' Ibrahimovic, 54' Brozovic, 56' Vecino, 72' de Vrij, 95' Lukaku, fixture
21 October 2018 1-0 96' Icardi, fixture
15 October 2017 3-2 28' Icardi, 56' Suso, 63' Icardi, 82' Bonaventura, 90' Icardi(Rig), fixture
15 April 2017 2-2 36' Candreva, 44' Icardi, 84' Romagnoli, 98' Zapata, fixture
13 September 2015 1-0 59' Guarin, fixture
19 April 2015 0-0 fixture
22 December 2013 1-0 88' Palacio fixture
24 February 2013 1-1 21' El Shaarawy, 71' Schelotto fixture
6 May 2012 4-2 14' Milito, 44' Ibrahimovic(Rig), 49' Ibrahimovic, 55' Milito(Rig), 82' Milito(Rig), 90' Maicon fixture
14 November 2010 0-1 5' Ibrahimovic(Rig) fixture
24 January 2010 2-0 10' Milito, 67' Pandev fixture
15 February 2009 2-1 29' Adriano, 72' Pato, 43' Stankovic fixture
23 December 2007 2-1 18' Pirlo, 36' Cruz, 64' Cambiasso fixture
11 March 2007 2-1 56' Cruz, 76' Ibrahimovic, 40' Ronaldo fixture
11 December 2005 3-2 24' Adriano (Rig), 39' Shevchenko, 61' Martins, 85' Stam, 93' Adriano fixture
27 February 2005 0-1 77' Kakà fixture
5 October 2003 1-3 38' Inzaghi F., 49' Kaka', 79' Shevchenko, 80' Martins fixture
12 April 2003 0-1 62' Inzaghi fixture
21 October 2001 2-4 12' Ventola, 61' Shevchenko, 64' Contra, 67' Inzaghi F., 77' Shevchenko, 92' Kallon fixture
11 May 2001 0-6 2' Comandini, 19' Comandini, 53' Giunti, 66' Shevchenko, 77' Shevchenko, 81' Serginho fixture
23 October 1999 1-2 19' Rig. Ronaldo, 73' Shevchenko, 87' Weah fixture
14 March 1999 2-2 7' Aut. N'Gotty, 14' Leonardo, 52' Leonardo, 77' Zanetti J fixture
22 November 1997 2-2 13' Simeone, 29' Weah, 68' Rig. Ronaldo, 80' Rig. Cruz fixture
13 April 1997 3-1 32' Rig. Djorkaeff, 43' Zamorano, 58' Ganz, 88' Baggio
29 October 1995 1-1 19' Paganin Ii, 46' Savivevic
15 April 1995 3-1 43' Seno, 69' Jonk, 85' Stroppa, 87' Aut. Rossi S.
7 November 1993 1-2 34' Panucci, 52' Papin, 64' Rig. Bergkamp
10 April 1993 1-1 44' Berti, 83' Gullit
1 December 1991 1-1 18' Van Basten, 54' Klinsmann
24 March 1991 0-1 74' Van Basten
19 November 1989 0-3 52' Van Basten, 75' Fuser, 86' Massaro
30 April 1989 0-0
20 December 1987 0-1 4' Aut. Ferri
1 March 1987 1-2 26' Aut. Baresi, 53' Galderisi, 85' Virdis
6 April 1986 1-0 77' Minaudo
17 March 1985 2-2 22' Virdis, 48' Rummenigge, 81' Altobelli, 85' Verza
6 November 1983 2-0 Serena, Muller
7 March 1982 2-1 10' Prohaska, 17' Aut. Prohaska, 32' Altobelli
28 October 1979 2-0 14' Beccalossi, 84' Beccalossi
18 March 1979 2-2 50' Oriali, 78' Altobelli, 80' De Vecchi, 89' De Vecchi
6 November 1977 1-3 4' Buriani, 51' Rig. Rivera, 77' Anastasi, 84' Buriani
27 March 1977 0-0
28 March 1976 0-1 41' Bigon
10 November 1974 0-0
2 December 1973 2-1 1' Boninsegna, 40' Benetti, 70' Facchetti
18 March 1973 0-2 39' Sabadini, 90' Benetti
28 November 1971 2-3 2' Bigon, 18' Ghio, 30' Rivera, 42' Boninsegna, 85' Bigon
7 March 1971 2-0 12' Corso, 32' Mazzola
9 November 1969 0-0
2 March 1969 1-1 53' Corsi, 86' Prati
22 October 1967 1-1 58' Benitez, 78' Rivera
2 April 1967 4-0 18' Cappellini, 71' Facchetti, 74' Suarez, 84' Domenghini
21 November 1965 1-1 31' Domenghini, 56' Amarildo
28 March 1965 5-2 5' Jair, 17' Amarildo, 68' Domenghini, 73' Corso, 75' Amarildo, 81' Mazzola, 84' Mazzola
19 January 1964 0-2 13' Fortunato, 35' Rivera
24 February 1963 1-1 1' Mazzola, 77' Sani
1 October 1961 1-3 18' Pivatelli, 53' Greaves, 69' Suarez, 87' Conti
26 March 1961 1-2 1' Altafini, 15' Liedholm, 51' Lindskog (Rig)
8 November 1959 0-0
22 March 1959 1-0 36' Firmani
6 October 1957 1-0 54' Vincenzi (Rig)
10 March 1957 1-1 23' Bean, 43' Invernizzi
16 October 1955 2-1 3' Nesti, 33' Nordahl, 37' Lorenzi
3 April 1955 1-1 49' Brighenti, 86' Nordhal
1 November 1953 3-0 50' Nyers, 54' Nyers, 73' Nyers
8 March 1953 0-0
4 November 1951 2-2 2' Nyers, 5' Burini, 9' Lorenzi, 76' Tognon
25 March 1951 0-1 9' Nordahl
6 November 1949 6-5 1' Candiani, 7' Candiani, 10' Nyers, 14' G. Nordahl, 19' Liedholm, 39' Amadei, 40' Nyers (Rig), 50' Amadei, 58' Lorenzi, 59' Annovazzi, 64' Amadei
6 February 1949 4-4 2' Annovazzi, 27' Gratton (Aut), 33' Nyers, 34' Sloan, 43' Nordahl, 52' Nordahl, 66' Lorenzi, 71' Nyers
11 April 1948 0-2 39' Antonini, 45' Puricelli
16 March 1947 1-2 12' Tosolini, 30' Puricelli, 60' Campatelli (Rig)
21 July 1946 0-1 64' Puricelli
10 February 1946 2-0 50' Achilli, 67' Penzo
3 January 1943 3-1 10' Baldini, 20' Gaddoni, 82' Candiani, 83' Rig. Morselli
7 June 1942 2-2 1' Boffi, 19' Quario, 82' Campatelli, 90' Trapanelli
9 February 1941 2-2 21' Frossi, 40' Aut. Boniforti, 56' Cappello, 83' Meazza
17 December 1939 0-3 19' Chizzo, 56' Boffi, 75' Boffi
2 October 1938 1-0 41' Frossi
17 October 1937 2-1 13' Ferraris II, 24' Ferrari, 84' Capra
7 February 1937 1-1 21' Cossio, 27' Bisigato
29 September 1935 1-1 30' Moretti, 75' Meazza
14 April 1935 2-0 2' Porta, 88' Demaria
1 November 1933 3-0 56' Meazza, 65' Pitto, 82' Meazza
6 November 1932 5-4 2' Demaria, 6' Mihalic, 10' Magnozzi, 25' Demaria, 44' Levratto, 59' Arcari III, 74' Moretti, 76' Meazza, 79' Magnozzi
6 March 1932 0-0
26 October 1930 1-1 5' Aut. Mittone, 80' Serantoni
13 April 1930 2-0 19' Serantoni, 47' Serantoni
9 July 1928 2-3 Castellazzi, Bernardini
3 April 1927 1-2 Castellazzi
30 January 1921 1-1 L.Cevenini Iii
2 May 1915 3-1 2 Aebi, Agradi
22 February 1914 5-2 2 L.Cevenini III, A.Cevenini I, Bavastro, Aebi
17 November 1912 1-2 Bontadini
21 January 1912 0-3
5 February 1911 0-2
17 February 1910 5-1 3 Peterly, Engler, Capra
MILAN - Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic set each other up as Inter replied to Ronaldo's opener to defeat the Rossoneri 2-1 in Sunday's 266th Milan derby.

The win moves table toppers Inter 19 points clear of Roma who play Udinese in tonight's late game, and stretches the Nerazzurri's long unbeaten run to 35 games.

The first afternoon derby in 14 years kicked off after a minute's silence in memory of Inter legend Benito Lorenzi. And 'Veleno', a protagonist of a many a derby in the 1950s, would have been proud as Mancini's side produced a memorable second-half comeback after falling behind just before the break.

Inter carved out more chances than their city rivals in an end-to-end opening half with Hernan Crespo going close on three occasions before Ronaldo scored against the run of play.

The Argentine rifled wide a low shot after intercepting a Bonera clearance in the second minute as Inter made their intentions clear.

Mancini made an early switch with Maxwell replacing the injured Fabio Grosso on 18 minutes.

A period of Milan pressure midway through the half saw Andrea Pirlo send a curling free kick just wide of the left post before the Italy midfielder forced a tipped save from Julio Cesar when his 25-yarder dipped dangerously.

The Nerazzurri hit back and Crespo curled wide from an inviting position in the box after a mistake by the Rossoneri backline.

He went even closer with a flicked header from a right-wing cross by Figo, who then barged between Oddo and Bonera on the opposite flank before flashing his shot narrowly wide from a tight angle.

Ex-Inter striker Ronaldo gave his new club a shock lead five minutes before the interval with a venomous left-foot strike from 25 yards that found the bottom left corner.

With Dacourt unable to continue after sustaining a muscular injury in the closing stages of the first half, Mancini brought on Walter Samuel for the restart, moving Burdisso into a midfield position.

The Inter boss made his third and final switch nine minutes in. And what a decision it turned out to be. Eleven seconds after replacing Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz rammed in from five yards to bring the teams level after Dida failed to hold an Ibra cross.

An inspired Cruz almost scored an quick second but his backheeled effort from Maxwell's left-wing centre finished over the bar.

Milan had Bonera to thank for denying Stankovic a clear chance on goal after the Serbian was put through by Ibrahimovic.

Cruz repaid Ibra's earlier favour for Inter's second goal on 75 minutes. The Argentine robbed Jankulovski on the right before cutting back for the Swede to slide into the left corner from 12 yards and lift the roof off the Meazza.

INTER 2-1 AC MILAN (HT: 0-1)

Scorers: Ronaldo 40, Cruz 54, Ibrahimovic 75.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 16 Burdisso, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 11 Grosso (6 Maxwell 18); 5 Stankovic, 15 Dacourt (25 Samuel 46), 7 Figo, 4 Zanetti; 8 Ibrahimovic, 18 Crespo (9 Cruz 54).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 20 Recoba, 21 Solari, 91 Mariano Gonzalez.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

AC Milan: 1 Dida; 44 Oddo (2 Cafu 62), 25 Bonera, 3 Maldini, 18 Jankulovski; 8 Gattuso (20 Gourcuff 79), 21 Pirlo, 10 Seedorf (11 Gilardino 70), 23 Ambrosini; 22 Kakà; 99 Ronaldo.
Subs not used: 16 Kalac, 7 Oliveira, 17 Simic, 32 Brocchi.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Bologna).

Booked: Ibrahimovic 30, Samuel 71, Pirlo 72, Cordoba 86.

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 12 Dida
Burdisso 16 Oddo
Cordoba 2 Bonera
Materazzi 23 Maldini
Grosso 11 Jankulovski
Zanetti 4 Gattuso
Dacourt 15 Pirlo
Stankovic 5 Ambrosini
Figo 7 Seedorf
Ibrahimovic 8 Kakà
Crespo 18 Ronaldo

substitutes

Toldo 1 kalac
Maxwell 6 Cafu
Samuel 25 Simic
Solari 21 Gourcuff
Gonzalez 91 Brocchi
Cruz 9 Oliveira
Recoba 20 Gilardino